Eat Well, Live Great

Dietitians of Canada Blog Member

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We all have comfort food that remind us of our childhood. For some it’s mac n’ cheese, for others it’s pancakes, but for me it’s my mom’s potato omelette. As far as comfort food goes, this dish is actually not terrible. I definitely considered making this a lot more often when I learned that a medium baked potato with skin on is only 161 kcal, providing 4g each of fibre and protein. In addition, you will also get the following daily nutrient requirements[1]:

It’s summer, so a warm bowl of chili is probably the last thing on your mind. But wait a minute…who says you have to have a HOT bowl of chili? I invite you to use the sunshine to inspire you to re-think “food rules” and reimagine dishes in a new light, temperature, or pairing combination.

Today’s recipe is Cool Vegetarian Chilli with a Kick. (inspired by The Curvy Carrot)

Sometimes packing your food just isn’t an option. There will inevitably be those time when you HAVE TO buy ready made food. At these times, it is important to assess your options and figure out the best choice. Here are a few dietitian approved food court survival tips:

Meetings can be long and training sessions are often at unfamiliar locations, often making meal planning difficult. However, anticipating this problem makes it easier to prevent.

CHALLENGE: LONG WORK MEETINGS

Those who organize meetings may not always be cognizant of employees’ varying lunch times or nutritional needs. Often to avoid having to cut a meeting short or a lunch may be provided to keep everyone satiated. Though the intentions may be good, the nutritional value of these nourishments may be lacking.

Many food retailers have started to offer healthier breakfast products, but how do they really compare to their traditional homemade counterparts?

Lets compare!

CHALLENGE: HOMEMADE BREAKFAST VS TAKE-OUT BREAKFAST

SOLUTION: BRING A BALANCED BREAKFAST

Though it’s hard to say exactly how much making these balanced breakfasts will cost you due to large variability in price between grocery stores, I’m willing to bet you can make it for less than what the retailer will charge you.

Regardless of grocery prices, when you add up the cost of your health when you choose the take-out version [read: lost work days due to illness], the math points in one direction: BYOB → BRING YOUR OWN BREAKFAST

Eating breakfast on the run? Here are five easy, dietitian recommended ideas that will get you out the door in a hurry:

Small home-baked whole-grain muffin, fresh fruit, and a low-fat latte in a travel mug

Sliced hard-boiled egg, tomato, and lettuce in a whole-wheat pita

Green smoothie made with frozen fruit, milk, plain yogurt, and a big handful of baby kale or spinach

Nut butter, banana, and trail mix wrapped up in a whole-wheat tortilla

If you recall yesterday’s discussion, a common reason people feel famished between breakfast and lunch is their breakfast, or a lack there of. Lets talk about how you can prevent this problem tomorrow.